Support

SUPPORT & DONATIONS

Monetary donations:

The Museum of Automotive History desires to establish a strong legacy of generous support. It is only through the numerous contributions of many automotive enthusiasts that the Museum can reach its its desired level of excellence. To all donors, past, present and future – thank you.

The Capital Fund is used to raise money for a museum facility. The Museum of Automotive History Transportation Museum. A staged plan for this facility is currently being formed. Naming opportunities are available for capital donations.

The Operating Fund will become the lifeblood of the Museum. Ticket sales, gift shop revenue and special events do not completely cover the costs of operating a world-class automotive museum. The Operating Fund will close this gap and ensure the sustainability of the Museum.

The Endowment Fund will provide long-term sustainable income for the Museum of Automotive History. Donations to this fund are invested for perpetuity and only the interest on these investments is spent. The interest becomes a part of the operating budget and therefore funds items similar to the Operating Fund. Making a donation to the Endowment Fund is a way of perpetuating your support for the Museum since the actual gift will never be spent. Due to this fact, all memorial, planned and deferred gifts are designated to the Endowment Fund.

Click the Donate button to make a donation to the Museum of Automotive History through GoFundMe page.

Vehicle donations

The Museum of Automotive History plans to build its automobile collection largely through the generous contributions of many thoughtful collectors. The vehicle donation process typically begins with a review of photographs supplied by the donor and then progresses through an on-site inspection, appraisal and the arrangement of transportation. The Museum’ s Director works with donors during the entire process to ensure a seamless transaction. Furthermore, as an automotive museum, donors are typically permitted to deduct the full fair market value of the vehicle being donated (this is no longer true when donating a vehicle to a general charitable vehicle donation program – you are limited to deducting the resale value only for this type of donation). In addition, the Museum of Automotive History accepts vehicles solely for resale purposes as well.

Automobilia donations

The Museum of Automotive History is happy to accept automotive memorabilia. Examples include: automotive -related neon and signage, gas pumps, car badges, posters, etc. These items will be used in the museum lobby, dioramas, and rotated through the Museum’ s display cases. In addition, duplicate items are used as auction items for the Museum’ s auctions. E-mail the Director regarding the donation of your piece of automotive history

Our Plan

The Museum of Automotive History is being developed in four stages. Each stage overlaps the others, and each will be ongoing throughout the life of the Museum.

The organization: Museum has been established as a 501-C(3) non-profit which means that donations are tax deductible. . A Board of Directors with a wide variety of skills and backgrounds is in place (board member’ s bios can be found here). A business plan describing the Museum’ s developmental strategy has been developed, and a facilities plan is in process.

Promotion and Marketing: The goal of this phase is to build support for the Museum by informing people and organizations in the community of the Museum and its plans. Community and business leaders, potential contributors, and the general public are those we desire to reach. Marketing and promotion activities currently in process include participation in events (both car and non-car related), car related seminars and classes, website, Facebook page, brochures, and press coverage.

Fundraising: A museum typically runs on donations, and the Museum of Automotive History is no exception. Admissions and memberships will cover only a small portion of the operating expenses, and virtually none of the capital expenditures. Currently, the Phase 1 of the facilities plan is estimated to require approximately $500,000. A more precise estimates of the financial need for each phase will be available when the facilities plan is complete (currently in process).

Operations: Museum operations will be ramped up in three steps. Zero footprint operations don’ t require a bricks and mortar facility and have begun. Currently,classes targeted towards owners and prospective owners of collector cars are in-plan. Initial footprint operations will likely be in leased space with a display of 5-10 cars, automobilia display, gift shop, and hands-on for kids. Expanded footprint operation will be in a purpose-built space with a display of 20-25 cars,expanded automobilia display, gift shop, rotating exhibits, 50s cafe, storage facility, and restoration shop.